Photographic flash-light apparatus.



No. 814,248. PATENTED MAR. 6, 1906. T. 0. SMITH & W. A. MARTIN. PHOTOGRAPHIG FLASH LIGHT APPARATUS APPLIUATION FILED SEPT. 1.5, 1995.

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No. 814,243. PATENTEB MAR. 6, 1906. i. G S96E31 82; W. A. MARTIN.

PHGTOGRAHIO FLASH LIGHT APPARATUS.

APPLIGATION FILED SE21: 15, 1905.

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No. 814,243. PATENTEI) MAR. 6, 1906. T. 6. SE33 5:: W. A. MARTIN. IHOTOGRAPHIG FLASH LIGHT APPARATUS.

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powder employed for UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS C. SMITH AND lVASHINGTOhl A. MARTIN, ()F CHICAQU, ILLINOIS.

PHOTOGHAPHlC FLASH-LIGHT APPARATUS- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 6, 1906.

Application filed September 15, 1905. Serial No. 278,539.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, THOMAS C. SMITH and WASHINGTON A. hlARTIN, citizens of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Photogra hic Flash-Light Apparatus, of which the f lowing is a specification.

This invention relates to certain im rovementsin that classof hoto raphic flas -light a paratuses of whic the BVICHShOWD and c aimed in our pendin patent application, Serial No. 243,224, file January 30, 1905, is a type; and the objects thereof are mainly the same as those set forth in said applicat1on namely, to provide a simple, inexpensive, and manually-operated apparatus to be used by photogra hers for creating an instantaneone and brilliant light by the use of owder in order that good, clear, and sharp y-defined photographs may be produced and which shall be so constructed that the inflammable reducing the light will be protected from t e wind or displace ment, as well as against accidental i nition.

Another object is to provide a ash-light apparatus in which ordinary ercussionmatches may be used for igniting t e powder.

A still further object is to provide means for striking or exploding the head of the match and at the same time advancing or projecting it into the powder-pan.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be disclosed in the subjoined de-' scri tion and explanation.

e invention consists in certain novel features of the construction and combinations and arrangements of the several parts thereof, all as will be hereinafter fully set forth. v

The novel features of the invention will be carefull 1 defined in the claims.

In t e accompanying drawings, which serve to illustrate our improvements, Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a flashlight apparatus embodying one form of our invention, showing the parts by full lines in position ready foruse and illustrating by dotted lines the raised position of the protectingcover for the owder. Fig. 2 is a rear view of a portion 0 the powder-pan, showing the movable plate for closing and opening the touch-hole therein and the means for releasing the spring-actuated cover for said pan. Fig.

.3 .is a front view in elevation of a portion of the powder-pan with its cover in its closed position and showing said pan mounted on the handle, the front portion of which has been removed to disclose the operating mechanism. Fig. 4 is a fragmental bottom plan view of the powder-pan, showing the means for retaining and releasing its cover. Fig. 5 is a fragmental face view of the pan, showing its cover raised. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the supporting-plate for the firing mechanism and powder-pan, showing the parts of the firing mechanism in the positions they will occupy when ready to fire or ignite the match. Fig. 7 is a similar view of like parts, but showin therein the positions they will occupy a ter the match has been fired or ignited. Fi 8 is a face view of the parts shown in I 6, showing them mounted on a portion of the handle and illustrating parts of the firing-trigger and match-controlling lever. Fig. 9 is a similar view of like parts, showing the positionsthey will occupy after the match has been fired or ignited. Fig. 10 is a plan view of a portion of the sup ortingplate and the casing forthe firin mec anism, showing the latter removed. ig. ii is a detachedperspective view of the firing-slide. Fig. 12 1s a similar view of the match holder and projector. Fi 13 is a detached perspective view of t 1e block on which the match-holder is mounted. Fig. 14 is a front perspective view of the apparatus, showing a modification in the construction of the powder-pan. Fig. 15 is a view in side elevation of a portion of the handle, showing the su portmg-plate and casing for the firmg inc-clianism mounted thereon with one end of said casing and one side of the handle removed to disclose the firin mechanism and operatinglevers. Fig. 16 is an enlar ed cross-sectional view taken on line 16 16 0 Fig. 7 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, and Fig. 17 is a detached perspective view of the casing-cover.

Like numerals of reference refer to corresponding parts throughout the different views 0 the drawings.

The reference-numeral 20 designates the handle, which is hollow and may be made of any suitable size, form, and material. Secured on the upper end of the handle is a supporting-plate 21, which has in its front edge a.

said parts. The plate 21 is provided on its upper surface at its rear edge with a box-like casing 25 for the retention of the firing mechanism, and said casing has a detachable cover 26 in the form of three sides of a rectangular figure which fits over the casing 25, as is clearly shown in Fi s. 1, 6, 15, and 16 of the drawings, thereby closing the ends of the easing. One end of the cover 26 is provided near its front wall with a vertical slot 27 for the passage of a portion of the striking-slide for the match. The front wall of the casing is provided with a longitudinal slot or cut-out ortion 28 and below the same with a circuar opening 29, which registers with a similar opening in the rear wall of the casing for t 0 match 31, which is of the ordinary percussion. variety. Extending horizontally across the bottom of the casing from the opening 29 to the opening 30 therein is a semitubular piece 32, which will act as a guideway for the match. Movably located on the inner surface of the front wall of the casing is a striking-slide 33, which is rovided on its front surface at about its middle with a projection 34, which extends forwardly through the slot 28 to en age a shoulder on a sliding plate 36, whic 1s movably secured, by means of slots 37 and screws 38, on the rear surface of the rear wall of the powder-pan 24, and said plate is provided with an opening 39, adapted to register with an opening 40 in said wall of the an. In order to permit of the longi tudina movement of the plate 36, the front wall of the casing-cover 26 is cut away, as at 41. (See Figs. 16 and 17.) The striking plate 33 carries on its inner surface two inwardly-extending projections 42 and 43, the former to coact with the match projector or advancer to force it back to its position when the firing mechanism is cocked and the latter to act as asupport for one end of the spring 44, as well as means to hold the striking-plate against the inner surface of the front wall of the casing, for it will be observed that the rojection 43 extends to and rests against the inner surface of the rear wall of the easing. The upper edge of the slide 33 is provi ed at one of its ends with a cut-away portion to form a shoulder 45, so that said cutaway portion may operate under and the shoulder will strike an inwardly-extending projection 46 on the front wall of the casing to restrict the slide in its movement in one direction. The opposite end of the slide is reduced to form an extension 47, adapted to pass through the slot 27 in one end of the easmg and to nnpin e the releasing-lever for the cover of the panolder. At the inner end of the extension 47 the slide 33 is provided with a recess 48 to engage an arm on the matchprojector, aswill be resently ex lained. Extendin downward y from the ower edge of the sli e 33 is a projection 49, which passes through and operates in a longitudinal slot 50 in the bottom of the casing, and said projection may be covered by a tubular piece 51 and secured thereto by means of a screw 52, thus providing a cocking-pin for the firing mechanism. lnwardly from and near the projection 49 the lower edge of the slide 33 is provided with a recess 53 for the upper end of the liringtrigger. The lower portion of the slide 33 is provided. near the recess 53 with a longitudinally-extending striking-arm 54, which, as is clearly shown in Figs. 6, 9, and 11, is slightly deflected inwardly and has on its free end teeth 55 to en age the head of the match. By reference to ig. 11 it will be seen that the lower surface of the arm 54 is upwardly inclined toward its free end, so as to slide over the upper end of the firing-trigger, thereby depressing it and causing it to engage the notch or recess 53 in the lower edge of the slide. Mounted on the upper surface of the bottom of the casing 25 is a block 56, on which is secured one end of the match projector or advancer, which consists of a bar or piece 57, which may be made of spring-steel, so as to yield slightly at its free end, or it may be loosely secured to the block 56, thus permittin a slight upward movement of its free end. ear its dpivoted end the bar or pro'ector 57 is provi ed with a laterally-exten ing arm 58, adapted to enga e the recess 48 in the firing-slide when the atter has been released from its retracted position. Near its free end the bar 57 is provided on its lower surface with a channeled piece 59, which carries on its upper portion in one of its ends downwardl -extending teeth 60 to engage the body 0 the match. As shown in Figs. 6, 7, 9, 12, and 16, the projector 57 lies llOIlZOl'ltally in the casing 25, and the channeled piece 59 extends across said bar just above the guidewa T 32 for the match, and that the front edge of t e bar 57 is cam-shaped or outwardly curved, so that when the firing-slide is forced to its cocked position the projection 42 thereon will impinge the front surface of the projector 57 and force it rearwardly to the position shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings. As before stated, one end of the sprin 44 is secured to the inward projection 43 on t e firing-slide and the other end thereof to a projection 61 on the front wall of the casin and said spring is employed to actuate t e firing or igniting slide.

Secured to the upper edge of the rear Wall of the pan 24 by means of a hinge 62 is a cover 63 for the pan, which is actuated or automatically opened when the front part thereof is released by means of springs 64, attached to the rear wall of the pan and said cover. The front portion of the cover 63 is provided at its middle with a downwardlyextending hook 65 to en age an outward extension 66 on one end 0 a bar 67, which is slidably mounted, by means of a slot 68 and a screw 69, on the front portion of the bottom thus causing the extension 66 to he disengaged from the hook (35, so as to permit the cover 63 to be automatically elevated. As the tiring-slide 32a is thus projected the arm 58 on the match holder or projector 57 will engage the recess 48 in said slide, and thus cause the free end of the match-holder to be moved toward the front wall of the casing 25 and carrv with it the match, which will be projected through the openings .29 in the casing and opening 40 in the powder-pan, as is clearly shown in Fig. 16 of the drawings, when the powder will be ignited and the llash or light produced. When a pan of the construction shown in Fig. 14 is used, the same operation as above set forth is employed, except, of course, that the releasing and closing of the cover is dispensed with. It is obvious that the safety-lever 76 may be used or omitted, if desired; but to prevent the accidental ignition of the powder or the releasing ol' the tiling mechanism we prefer to use the same.

Having thus fully described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In. a photographic flash-light apparatus, the combination with the supporting-handle, of a firing mecl'ianism mounted thereon, a powder-pan supported on the handle, a cocking-pin for said mechanism, a holder and projector tor the match, means to project the same, and means to release said cocked mechanism.

2. in a photographic flash-light apparatus, the combination with the supporting-handlc, ot' a casing mounted on one end thereof and provided in its front and rear walls with an opening ['or a percussi iii-match, a powderpan connected to the casing and adapted to communicate therewith, a tiring mechanism in said casing provided with a cocking-pin irojcctingtherefrom, amatch holder and projector located in the casing and coacting with the tiring mechanism to hold and project the match, means to raise said holder, and means to release the cocked mechanism.

3. In a photographic flash-light ap mratus, the coinhiinttion with the su morting-handlc, o[' a casing mounted on one end thereol' and provided in its trout and rear walls with an opening to receive a percussion-match, a powder-pan connected to the casing, a liring mechanism in said casing, a cocking-pin secured to a part of said tiring mechanism and projecting through the casing, a holder and projector located in the casing and coacting with the firing mechanism to hold and pro ject the match, means to project the matchholder, and a firing-trigger located on the handle and projecting into the casing to release the cocked mechanism.

t. in a photographic Hash-light apparatus, the combination with the supporting-hamlle, of a casing mounted on one end thereof and provided in its front and rear walls with an opening, a powder-pan connected to the casing and adapted to communicate therewith, a tiring mechanism in said casing, a cockingpin secured to a part of said firing mechanism. and projecting through the casing, a tiringtrigger on the handle and projecting into the casing, a holder and projector located in the casing and coacting with the firing ll'IQtlHtH- ism to hold and project the match, means to project said holder, and a sal'ct v-lever on the handle adapted to engage the tiring-trigger.

5. In a photographic flash-light ap ntratus. the combination with the suppcirting-handlc, of a casing mounted on one end thereof and prov ded in its front and rear walls with an opening, a powder-pan com'iected to the casing and adapted to communicate therewith, a spring-actuated cover for said pan, means to hold the cover in its lowered position, a tiring mechanism in the casing, a cocking-pin secured to a part of said mechanism and projecting through the casing, a holder and projector located in the casing and coacting with the firing mechanism to hold and project the match, means to raise and project said holder, and means to release the cocked mechanism and the cover of the pan.

ti. In a photographic flash-light apparatus, the combination with the supporting-handlc, of a casing mounted on one end thereof and provided in its front and rear walls with an opening, a powder-pan coi'inected to the casing and adapted to have communication therewith, a spring-actuatml cover for said pan, means to hold the cover in its lowered position, a firing mechanism in the casing, a cocking-pin connected to a part of said mechanism and extending through the casing, a holder and projector located in the casing and coacting with the tiring mechanism, means to hold and project the match,aliringtrigger on the handle projecting into the casing, a safety-lever onthe handle and adapted to engage said trigger, a rod longitudinally mounted on the handle and extending into the casing to engage the holder or projector, and means to raise said rod and throw the saj'ety-hwer into engagement with the tiringtrigger.

T. In a photographic llash-light apparatus, the combination with the supporting-handle, of a casing mounted on one end thereof and having in its front and rear walls an opening, of a spring-actuated tiring-slide movably mounted on one of said walls and having a recess in its lower edge and an inwardly-dc- [lectcd arm provided with teeth, a cockingpin secured to said slide and projecting through the casing, a holder and projector located in the casing and coacting with the tirin -slide, means to hold and project the match, a firing-trigger located on the handle and projecting into the casing so as to engage the tiring-slide, a rod loi'igitudinally mounted on the handle and extending into the casing to engage the holder or projector, and means on the handle to raise said rod.

8. in a photographic flash-light apparatus the combination with the supporting-handle, of a casing mounted on one end thereof and provided in its front and rear walls with an opening, a powder-pan eonnec-ted to the easing and adapted to have communication therewith, aspring-aetuated firin -slide movably mounted on one of said Walls and having a recess in ite lower edge, the said slide having on its inner surface an inward projection and an inwardly-deflected arm, a bar secured horizontally and longitudinally in the casing and provided near its secured end with a laterally-extending arm to engage one end of the firing-slide, said bar having its front edge curved outwardly and adapted to en age said inward projection on the firingslide, a channeled and toothed piece secured across the lower surface of the bar near its free end, a cooking-pin secured to the firingslide and projecting through the casing, a firing-trigger located on the handle and proiecting into the casing, a safety-lever on the 1amdle and adapted to engage said trigger, a rod longitudinally mounted on the handle and extending into the casing to engage the said her, and means to raise said rod and throw the safety-lever into engagement with the firing-trigger THOMAS C. SMITH. W'ASHINGIUN A. AIARTIN. Witnesses (l-nae. C. Truman, M. A. NYMAN. 

